Power unit and base frame for washing machines



W. BONES Nov. 14, 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 POWER UNIT AND BASE FRAME FOR WASHING MACHINES (fe/"13mm, @auf 2%:-

Novn 14, 1939. w. BoNEs 2.179876 POWER UNIT AND BASE FRAME FOR WASHING ACHINES Filed Sept. 10. 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. l14, 1939' UNITED STATE-s PGWEB UNIT AND BASE FRAME ING MACHINES FOR WASH- Walter Bones, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application September l0, 10376, Serial No. 100,073

4 Claims. (Cl. 68-2!) The present invention 'relates `to washing machines and more particularly to a novel power unit and base frame construction.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a combined power unit and base frame `so constructed and arranged as to facilitate assembly and repair oi' the driving mechanism of a washing machine.

A further object is to provide a power unit and base frame which may be readily attached to or detached from the machine so as to facilitate servicing of the operating structure and make the parts more accessible for repair or replacement, as well as provide a standardized attachment.

A further objectV is to provide a .novel power unit located below the base frame and leg supports of a washing machine. with the motor or engine mounted on and positioned above the base frame. In this construction the base frame which spans and supports the legs and forms a bracing reinforcement for' the machine, provides the cover for the housing or casing enclosing and concealing the agitator and wringer drive mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement of power unit for a washing machine in which this unit is .so mounted as to place no strain on the tub and supporting legs when the machine is being operated.. By mounting the motor or engine in a manner as disclosed, there is less vibration and strain than in the prior arrangements and methods of mounting the drive mechanism and power plant. This provides for a longer life and less repair and servicing oi the power unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power unit and base frame for a wash-- ing machine in which these parts are located close to the oor in' a manner to better balance the machine. 1

A still.- further object is to provide a novel drive mechanism for the agitator and wringer shaft `of a Washing machine. In the preferred construction and arrangement, the drive mechanism for the agitator and wringer is located within a housing mounted below the base frame and supported thereby. Y

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, ei'liciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more` fully appear and'are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illus-A trated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that 'the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features 5 and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Y

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a washing machine provided with the novel power unit.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the power unit with the base frame broken away to more clearly disclose the drive mechanism. Y

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross section of the power unit and base frame taken on the irregular line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical cross section of the base frame and power unit taken on the irregular line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, the novel invention is embodied in a tub I having supporting legs 2. This tub and the support therefor may be of substantially square or round configuration in horizontal cross section, with an agitator 3 mounted therein 25l upon a vertical drive shaft 4 extending through the bottom of the tub. Mounted at one side of the tub is a wringer drive shaft 5 adapted to operate a wringer 6 through a drive head 1. This wringer is preferably of the well-known swinging type provided with means for locking it in any desired position.

Mounted below the tub is a base frame 0 having outwardly projecting arms 9, each formed with a socket Il for the reception of a leg. A set screw II is preferably provided for anchoring the frame to the leg at the desired position and level. This frame is also provided with an arm I2 of greater size than the arms 9, the purpose of which will be later more fully explained. o

Projecting through the approximate center of this base frame is a stub shaft I3 having its upper end Il encased in a bushing I5, bearing sleeve I0 and an oil seal I1 preferably formed of cork or the like. A flexible connector or coupling I I is 4,5 adapted toV receive the lower end of the agitator drive shaft l vand the outer end of the stub shaft I3, with pins or the like I9 for connecting the coupling to these shafts. This coupling accommodates any misalignment that may exist between the stub shaft and agitator drive shaft.

-The base frame 0 serves as a cover and top closure for a gear casing 20 housing the drive mechanism or power unit for the agitator and wringer. and a support for the'motor or other engine 2|, as well as serving as a bracing reenforcement for the washing machine. The motor 2| is suitably bolted or fixed upon the top of this i '24 extending into the casing or housing 20, and

bearing in opposite projections or bosses 25 and 26 of the housing. x 1

Mounted upon the shaft 24 is a wrm 21 meshing with and continuously driving a worm wheel 28 adapted to rotate on a stud pin 29 iixediy mounted'in the boss 30 in the base 3| ofthe gear casing. ceive an annular clutch disc 32 having a tapered clutching surface oi' face 33 `adapted to be moved into and out of clutching engagement 4with a complementary clutch face 34 formed on the inner circumference of the rim of the wormgear. Normally this clutch disc 32 is forced upwardly 'and held out of clutching engagement by a spring washer or the like 35, seating against the hub 36 of the clutch disc. In order to bring this disc into frictional clutching engagement with the worm wheel, the invention comprehends a washer or plate 31 placed over the upper or puter surface of the clutch hub 36 and adapted to be pulled downwardly by a bolt or the like 38 with itsshank 39 passing through an opening in the stud pin-29 and sealed by means of an oil seal 40.

The lower end of the bolt 38 is connected to a shifter-arm 4|, ,by the nuts 42. This arm' is adapted to b e depressed by any suitable m'echanism located onan accessible part of the machine. As disclosed in Fig. 1r this mechanism may comprise a toggle 43, pivoted upon a projection suitably 'located on the exterior of' the gear housing, and connected to a rod or Vlever 45 having a handle 46, which when depressed, forces the outer'end of the arm 4| downwardly and this arm pivoting about its inner end 41 on the v boss 30, will lower the bolt 38 and the clutch disc 32 into clutching rengagement with the worm wheel. It will be apparent that when the toggle 43 is in the position shown in-Fig. 1, -the'spring washer 35 `will maintain the clutch disc 32 out of `clutching position, but when the lever 45 is depressed so that the lower end of the toggle is in a substantially vertical position, the shifter, arm or blade 4| is depressed to clutch the`- parts and this clutching engagement will be `maintained until the lever is again raised. V

Mounted on the clutch disc 32 isa crank pin or bearing 43 connected.to a connecting rod 49.

This rod is in turn'connected to and osciilates a connecting arm 56 pivotaily mounted upon a stud pin or shaft having abearing in the boss`52, the arcuate end 53 of the arm being pivotally mounted orA hinged to a shuttle knuckle 54 that .slides in the guideway 55 of an arm 56 suitably pinned cmkeyed to the stub shaft il: to' be osenlated. I

Due to the peculiar arrangement of pivoting points of the connecting arms and rod with rc- Spect to each oth'er and the shuttle eiect 'on the arm 56, and due to the dead centers of the crank movement; the stub shaft i3 which oscillates the agitator 3 through th.`I agitator drive shaft l,

accelerates and decelerates the movement ofthe agitator drive shaft in doubly increased andV decreased ratios which transmits to the agitator :lorresponding whipping alternations or oscillaons.

Mounted on the underside of the worm wheelv 23 isaspur gear 51 meshingwith and drivingatrain The worm wheel is hollowed out to reframe which forms a bracing 'eenforcement for the machine as well as a' cover and support for A the power unit or drive mechanism for the agitator and wringer, and a support for the motor or engine, may be made of a stamping that closely hugs and protectsthe gear housing or casing and gives a neat. appearance to the unit. All of the drive mechanism is thus enclosed and hid under this irame. Y

The present construction permits a standardy ized power unit which may'be assembled as a complete, enclosed unit and so removed for servicing or replacement.

If desired, a hood or enclosure 65 may be provided for the motor and a hood or enclosure 66 for the belt drive. This protects the structure against water being spilled thereon and eliminates danger to the operator, as well as lends to the vappearance of the machine.

Having thus disclosed the invention,

I claim:

` 1. A combinedbase frame and power unit for a washing machine having a tub and supporting legs, comprising a frame member adapted to span the legs adjacent their ends, a socket formed at each extremity of the framefor receiving a leg and providing for adjustment' of the frame upon the legs, means for anchoring the frame in adjusted position upon the legs, a drive mechanism carried by the`underside vof the frame, and a housing below and secured to the underside of the frameand providing, with the frame, a complte enclo e for protecting and concealing the drive mech e Y 2.1A readily detachable power unit and base frame'constructed and arranged as to standardize construction and facilitate assembly and servicing of the operating mechanism of a washing the machine located adjacent the f ioor and below the frame and supported therefrom and a housing Ibelow and secured to the underside of the frame and providing, with the frame, a complete en- 'closure for protecting and concealing the drive mechanism.

3. A .readily detachable and lcombined frame and power unit for, a washing machine comprising a frame member adapted tospan the legs, a socket provided at each extremity of the frame for receiving a leg and providing for.adjustment of the frame uponthe legs, adjustable anchoring means for .securing the frame in adjusted-position upon the legs, a drive mechanism located below the Y framepa casing suspended from the underside of the frame and providing an enclosure for mounting,v protecting and concealing the drive mechanism and a motor mounted on the upper surface of the frame. 1

4.1A readily detachable and combinedfx1-ame.v

and power unit for a washing machine for operating the agitator and wringer drive shafts, coml prising a frame detachably and adjustably mount- "I6 for anchoring the frame on the said legs whereby the frame is directly supported from the legs, the said stub shafts having detachable shaft couplings m for connecting the same to the -agitator and wringer shafts, and a housing suspended from the underside of the frame and providing, with the frame, an enclosure for mounting, protecting and concealing the drive mechanism, the frame and power unit being so constructed and arranged' that the weight thereof is located close to thev oor or supporting surface for 'the machine and thereby balancing and stabilizing the machine.

WALTER BONES. m 

